Starting next spring the Dawes Arboretum will begin charging a daily admission for the first time in its nearly 90-year existence.

In a letter dated Sept. 21 to members of the arboretum from Luke Messinger, Dawes executive director, he said in the spring of 2019 visitors to the main grounds of the arboretum will be charged $10 for adults and $5 for children age five and older.

Messinger on Tuesday said the change in policy was to allow the arboretum to offer more programming and better serve its purpose of being an educational and scientific center.

He said Dawes is one of the largest non-university arboretums to not charge admission. The Holden Arboretum near Cleveland charges $10 for adults and $4 for children, for example.

Despite the addition of a charge, Messinger said Dawes will be making multiple efforts to ensure people have access to the grounds. Free community days will be offered each quarter, corporate-sponsored events could allow for reduced entry and Dawes will still be a place for people to take prom or homecoming photos, Messinger said.

"We don't want to exclude anyone from the arboretum," he said.

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The Japanese Garden at Dawes Arboretum. The park, which offers a wide range of plant life and walking trails, located on Jacksontown road is open daily to the public. (Photo11: Jessica Phelps/The Advocate)

Acknowledging that it is impossible to know all the ways the community is connected to Dawes, Messinger said the facility will host two open houses this fall to get community feedback on the admission policy. They will be 6 p.m. Oct. 11 and 10 a.m. Nov. 3 at the arboretum. He said by announcing the new admissions so early, he hoped everyone would have a chance to offer their insights on how to ensure Dawes remains accessible.

While Dawes could continue doing what it has done historically with current revenues, Messinger said adding an admission charge will allow the facility to expand its offerings and be an even better community asset. This includes enhanced programming for local schools, at no additional cost to the districts; enhanced accessibility and better signs and information around the grounds for visitors. He added the facility will also need a new visitors center, but that is not the sole reason for the admission fee.

"It's really going to open up the doors to do even more," Messinger said of the admission charge.

Logistically, a kiosk is being installed at the front gate to charge admission to guests. People who sign up for an individual ($40) or family ($60) membership would have unlimited visits to the grounds as well as access to members-only events. Messinger said people who plan to visit the arboretum more than once a year should consider the membership program, which is not expected to increase in cost, he said.

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The Japanese Garden at Dawes Arboretum. The park, which offers a wide range of plant life and walking trails, located on Jacksontown road is open daily to the public. (Photo11: Jessica Phelps/The Advocate)

Additionally, access to the Red Barn Reserve and Dutch Fork Wetlands will remain free to the public.

Despite the new fee, Messinger said he still believed Dawes would be an economic engine for Licking County. He said many of the visitors to Dawes are from outside the area and are surprised to learn it is free to enter.